Our ref: FOI-1725-2425
Thank you for your request received on 26 August 2024 asking for information about taxi ranks in London.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked for:
1) The total number of appointed taxi stands in the district.
2) The location of all appointed taxi stands in the district.
3) Confirmation as to whether all appointed taxi stands in the district are accessible to all licensed hackney carriage vehicles and drivers without requirement for additional payment by hackney carriage vehicle proprietors or drivers. Particularly, confirmation as to whether:
a) licensed vehicles are required to obtain/purchase a permit allowing them to ply for hire on any appointed taxi stands;
b) If so, confirmation of:
(i) the location,
(ii) fees payable for access,
(iii)any limitation on the total number of permit holders,
4) The total number of currently licensed hackney carriage drivers in the district.
5) The total number of currently licensed hackney carriage vehicles in the district
Taxi ranks are a vital part of London's transport network and help ensure that taxi services can meet passenger demand.
We are responsible for appointing taxi ranks on the public highway in all Greater London boroughs, with the exception of the City of London.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
Taxi drivers in London will have a badge showing that they have passed the Knowledge of London exam.
Drivers with a green badge are licensed to pick passengers up anywhere in London and drivers with a yellow badge specialise in local suburban areas. The Ranks Booklet shows the nine suburban (yellow badge) taxi driver licensing areas.
Although Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon, only All London drivers are permitted to ply for hire at the airport and use the ranks there.
Provided the taxi vehicle and driver are licensed, and the driver is picking up within his/her licensed area, no further fee or permit is required to use our taxi ranks.
The only exceptions are at London City Airport where there is a £1 fee to use the taxi rank at City Airport, and at Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) where taxi drivers must pay a fee to access the taxi feeder park which is used to control access to the taxi ranks at the terminals.
At present taxi drivers must pay HAL £3.00 each time they pass through the Heathrow taxi feeder park. Further information regarding this charge and access arrangements at Heathrow can be found on Heathrow Airport’s website.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas
FOI Case Officer
General Counsel
Transport for London
